Planting the seeds for a sustainable future - City of Kamloops

PROVINCIAL AGRICULTURAL TRENDSThe 100-mile diet and the "buy local" movement are strong in BC. Vancouver has recently made changes in policy toincrease the number of Farmers' Markets within the city to improve urban access to local foods.Climate change policy and environmental awareness are, on one hand, adding to the demand for local food and perhapscreating opportunities for new products but also creating challenges for producers to become greener - to meet newenvironmental standards.REGIONAL AND LOCAL TRENDSAgri-tourism has gained a strong presence in the TNRD region as many farms and ranches have diversified to nowprovide tours and Bed and Breakfast services. Besides direct employment, a strong service industry includingequipment, irrigation, and general supply firms supports the agricultural sector.There is an increasing number of organic growers in the Thompson-Nicola-Shuswap area from which one can obtainorganic or naturally produced foods.Vegetable production of speciality products such as baby vegetables for the ready to use markets (e.g. baby carrots, corn,beets, cherry and roma tomatoes, leeks, squash, spinach, and eggplants), exotic greens (curly cress, pink cress, dandeliongreens, various types of lettuce such as escarole, frizee, red/green oak leaf, red/green romaine, and red/green leaf) mayprovide added opportunities.CITY OF KAMLOOPS 42